Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Although I did regret it, I now see that my letter caused you sorrow, but only for a short time.
Parallel translations
- WEB For though I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it, though I did regret it. For I see that my letter made you sorry, though just for a while.
- KJV For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.
- NKJV For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while.
- NASB For though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it—for I see that that letter caused you sorrow, though only for a while—
- NLT I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul does not regret his sorrowful letter, even though it grieved the Corinthians, because the grief was temporary and produced good. Loving correction, though painful, can be worth the cost.
Overview
Paul reflects on a previous painful letter that caused the Corinthians sorrow. Though he briefly regretted causing them pain, he no longer does, since their grief was for a season and led to repentance. The verse shows the wisdom and cost of faithful, loving rebuke.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- John 16:6Instead, your hearts are filled with sorrow because I have told you these things.
- Rev 3:19Those I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent.
- Heb 12:9–11Furthermore, we have all had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them. Should we not much more submit to the Father of our spirits and live?
- 2 Cor 2:2–11For if I grieve you, who is left to cheer me but those whom I have grieved?
- Jer 20:7–9You have deceived me, O LORD, and I was deceived. You have overcome me and prevailed. I am a laughingstock all day long; everyone mocks me.
- Exod 5:22–23So Moses returned to the LORD and asked, “Lord, why have You brought trouble upon this people? Is this why You sent me?
- John 21:17Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love Me?” “Lord, You know all things,” he replied. “You know I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.
- 2 Cor 7:11Consider what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what zeal, what vindication! In every way you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.
- 2 Cor 7:6But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the arrival of Titus,
- Luke 22:61–62And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word that the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.”
- Lam 3:32Even if He causes grief, He will show compassion according to His abundant loving devotion.
- Matt 26:21–22And while they were eating, He said to them, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray Me.”
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Christ at the center
In Christ all God's promises are 'Yes and Amen'; though rich, he became poor to make us rich, and in him God reconciles the world, making us new creations.
How 2 Corinthians 7:8 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.